With a strong pipeline of projects, ongoing acquisitions, and continuous innovations, First Solar is expected to be a strong performer going forward.

The past few years have been a nightmare for solar companies. First, the financial crisis scared away potential customers and lowered sales. Then governments, particularly in solar-friendly Europe, began cutting spending to rein in their ballooning deficits — including on solar power subsidies.

This all came against a glut of cheap panels, many from Chinese competitors that sent prices into a tailspin and erased profits in the fast-growing industry. But this year, First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) may have finally turned things around for this industry.

FSLR provided strong guidance for 2013 through 2015, and investors are excited about solar stocks again on signs that global demand for solar products is improving. On the back of strong projected sales revenues and efficiency news, First Solar’s share has soared more than 90% over the past two months.

For 2013, First Solar is expecting revenues of $3.9 billion and EPS of $4.25, vs. consensus estimates of $3.17 billion in revenue and $3.60 in EPS.

For 2014 and 2015, First Solar expects net sales in the range of $3.5 billion to $4.0 billion and $4.2 billion to $4.8 billion, respectively vs. analyst expectations of $3.35 billion and $3.65 billion.

First Solar is expecting its 550 megawatt Desert Sunlight project to start generating revenue later this year, hence the improved earnings guidance. Additionally, the company also expects to reduce manufacturing costs and improve efficiency of its solar panels dramatically over the next four years. That, along with its strong balance sheet, would enable First Solar to compete well in the market against cheap panels made by debt-laden Chinese competitors.

The company reported a very strong and efficient first quarter, further strengthening the solid guidance that management has provided. For Q1 2013, First Solar posted revenue growth of 52% and a 7% increase in gross margin compared to Q1 2012. The company also reported significant improvement in management of costs that has resulted in operating income recover from a loss of $449 million to a profit of $509 million last quarter.

Based on Market IQ’s proprietary fundamental metrics, First Solar is expected to outperform its peer group. Market IQ places First Solar in the top right quadrant of the quality/value chart indicating high quality and investment value (see below).

The company’s qualitative strength can be seen in multiple areas such as revenue growth, return on equity (ROE), and financial strength.

Q1 2013 revenues increased by 51.9% compared to Q1 2012.

ROE increased significantly to 28.81% this quarter vs. 7% during Q1 last year. This is a signal of significant strength within the corporation.

First Solar has an equity-to-debt ratio of 2.25, significantly higher than the industry average of 0.05, indicating strong financial strength relative to its peers. Along with a favorable equity-to-debt ratio, the company maintains an adequate interest coverage ratio of 22; a strong liquidity position gives First Solar a distinct advantage over its cash-strapped peers.

Market IQ’s valuation metrics suggest that First Solar is cheaper than 81% of its peers. Despite the recent surge in price, First Solar is attractively valued and shows a lot of potential over competitors who have priced in future earnings and revenue much more strongly (see below).

First Solar has remained an industry leader in utility-scale solar projects. Most recently, the company entered an agreement with major electrical utility holding company The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) to sell 139 megawatts of generation capacity. This deal highlights the company’s strength in putting together large-scale projects.

Management is also steering the company into new regions including Japan, which is expected to become the second-largest solar market in 2013, thanks to a surge in installations caused by increase in government incentives.

First Solar agreed in April to acquire TetraSun, a Japan-based start-up developing high-efficiency solar panels designed for rooftop systems on homes and businesses. The company plans to initially market TetraSun products in Japan.

The TetraSun acquisition fills a product gap for First Solar and helps the company de-risk its portfolio. Additionally, the acquisition will increase First Solar’s competitiveness against rival firm SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) that has already been in the business for developing roof top panels.

First Solar is building strategic inroads in multiple "sustainable" global solar markets like Chile, China, Saudi Arabia, and India. Saudi Arabia in particular is a strong prospect for the company: With no domestic natural gas or coal and some of the best irradiance in the world, Saudi Arabia offers great potential demand for solar.

First Solar is utilizing its strong balance sheet to make continued investments in improving its solar technology, manufacturing processes, and global reach, all while making meaningful improvements to its cost structure.

A confluence of factors, ranging from prospects in future markets to continued efficiency improvements, should help First Solar fortify its competitive position in the future. With a strong pipeline of projects, ongoing acquisitions, and continuous innovations, First Solar is expected to be a strong performer going forward.

This article was written by Adil Yousuf and originally appeared on Market IQ

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